Savannah College of Art and Design
The Savannah College of Art and Design is a premier art and design university that prepares students for professional careers in the arts. Founded in Savannah in 1978, the school has three other locations in Atlanta, Hong Kong and Lacoste, France. SCAD Savannah is the largest of the university’s locations, and a major force in the city’s widespread urban renewal with close to 70 historic, beautifully renovated buildings dispersed throughout the downtown. Many of SCAD’s buildings are on the famous squares of the old town, a true Southern-Gothic feel rich with monuments and live oaks.
Visitor Information: Tour SCAD
Transportation: SCAD Savannah is easily accessible from Interstate 95 and U.S. 17. Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport is the main airport serving Savannah and its vicinity. In Savannah, Chatham Area Transit, or CAT, bus schedules vary from quarter to quarter. For schedules, visit catchacat.org.
Stay: Parents and students favorite is the Bohemian Hotel, with an enviable location on the riverfront with eclectic design and a great rooftop bar. Other top choices by the river include Courtyard Savannah, The Andaz and the Cotton Sail Hotel, once a cotton warehouse with many of the rooms offering river views. In the landmark historic district, check in to the Mansion on Forsyth Park or the Kimpton Brice Hotel. For a list of hotels, many offering a discount to SCAD guests, click here.
Coffee: Head to Foxy Loxy Café, a local favorite that’s equal part coffee shop, bakery and tex-mex cantina with lovely outdoor seating. More than an espresso bar, Back in the Day Bakery is a good morning stop also known for its excellent sandwiches at lunch.
Breakfast:For a classic American breakfast, head to J Christopher’s a local favorite. Located inside Ex Libris Bookstore, Café 78 features handmade breakfast and lunch dishes. Other popular breakfast spots include: Clary’s Café, B.Matthews, and Huey’s Southern Café.
Lunch: For home-style Southern cooking head to Sisters of the New South—load up on a meat ‘n’ three or the smothered shrimp, you won’t go wrong with either. The Grey housed in a ’30s-era Greyhound Station and fresh off a million-dollar restoration is known for their “Smoky Pig,” pork served with pepper jelly, hot buns and a fried egg. A visit to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is a rite of passage if it’s your first time in Savannah, serving up Southern staples since 1943. The doors open at 11 am and the line starts soon after, but its worth the wait for platters of fried chicken, okra, sweet potatoes and black eyed peas, all served family style at communal tables.
Dinner
Casual: There are two floors of dining and only the best quality of Angus Beef in the burgers at B&D Burgers, with turkey and veggie burgers available as well. At Kayak Kafe the menu reads global with many vegan and vegetarian options.
A Step Up: For a real Southern experience, dine at the Olde Pink House, housed in an 18th century mansion. Dine at Cotton and Rye featuring an eclectic menu and creative cocktails located in a former bank. The Grey, (mentioned above) in an old Art Deco bus depot, is one of Savannah’s top spots, the place to enjoy southern staples with a contemporary twist from Chef Mashama Bailey. Alligator Soul was once a grain warehouse, now a cozy Southern eatery using organic & local ingredients.
Local Attractions: Why not stay a day or two--Savannah has a lot to offer with beautiful beaches, a vibrant art community and the largest National Historic Landmark district in the country. Book a ride on the Old Savannah Trolley Tour, where actors bring the route sites to life. The Jepson Center for the Arts is a gallery space showcasing contemporary art in a striking 7, 500 space. Explore the coastline with a day trip to Tybee Island, just 20 minutes from downtown and be sure to climb the historic lighthouse for great views. Stroll the 30 acres of Forsyth Park, located on the edge of the historic district. Don’t miss a stop at the SCAD store showcasing and selling students and alumni’s works in fine art, jewelry and clothing.